Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-19

OF tlmeS ana III SUCH scenery as tuls que
feels forced to pause frequently to look
around"
Il expected to meet you coming back"
explained the Major. But was looking
for you in that direction indicating an
other path more to the right. was quite
surprised when saw you coming toward
me-"
With what feelings of relief did the
lovers listen to the Majors innocent re-
marks
At their early dinner the Major drew
from his pocket letter which he had re-
ceived by the mornings post and had for
gotten to read. With polite |" Excuse
me, my dear" to his niece, he hastily
glanced at the contents ~ must leave for
London by the IL o'clock train tomorrow
morning. he exclaimed. This letter is
of the utmost importance. How stupid of
me to have delayed reading it"
Am / to accompany you, uncle ?" asked
Maude family.
No, no, my dear; there's no need for
you to do that l shall be back here by
the evening of the following day"
The Major was very preoecupied until
dinner was over, but as Maud also had
much food for reflection, silence was agree-
able to both
WOnGtI / L COulu uO ally lQlLH lOI
Mr. Browne while am in town ~ queried
the Major. " My DEAR turning to Maude,
Just write little note to him asking him
to step over for a minute You know we
half promised to show him the way to
Fairy Glen this afternoon. | don't feel in
clined for any more walking myself; but
there is no reason why you shouldn't ac-
company him, if you are not tired and he
is agreeable to the arrangement"
Maude's note quickly brought Mr..
Browne, and the lovers were soon on their
way to Fairy Glen.
My darling, we are in luck's way p ex-
claimed Jack. Your uncles absence will
make matters as simple as an A B G guide.
shall have tomorrow to make the neces-
sary arrangements We can be married
the following morning, and by the time
your uncle returns in the evening we shall
be miles away from here"
Maude acquiesced rather reluctantly.
Sh loved Jack dearly; but still she had
some conjunction about deceiving her
uncle, who, with the exception of the unac-
countable obstinacy he had shown toward
her lover, had always been ready to .humor
her. Jack, however, drew such glowing
picture of the happiness in store for them,
and declared with so much confidence that
hdlOI NOulu IlOt ldSi
more than three weeks when once the ire
vocable step was taken, that Maude was
much comforted.
When they returned Major Henderson
pressed Mr.. Browne to spend the evening
at Honeysuckle Cottage. Tea being over,
the Major asked Maude if she would mind
packing his portmanteau for him.
al have laid out the things | wish to
take, my dear. You will fit them in more
neatly than l could"
Maude was delighted to have an oportu-
nifty of doing a last little kindly act
Directly she had left the room, the Major
began fidgeting about, and at length got up
and paced the room. Suddenly turning 10
Mr. Browne he said Comparative stran-
ger as you are to me, feel as if l must tell
you the nature of the business which is
calling me to London so unexpectedly.
The blow has fallen so suddenly that 20
speak of it would be an immense relief.
The stranger was all sympathetic a'ten
ton in q moment.
Mr.. Browne, continued the Major, ex-
citedly, this time yesterday | believed
that poor girl up stairs to be the mistress OF
a fairly large fortune. To-day-if the in
formation received this morning is cor
rect-I know her to be penniless. And
that is not all; the greater part, if not the
whole, of my income is lost also"
So sympathetic was Mr.. Browne that be
begged to know all the details. These,
however, the Major was unable to furnish
in fact he could explain nothing satisfac-
torily, so great was the state of excitement
into which he had worked himself.
Hush p' he said, as he heard Maude APP
preaching. Not word to her. / wouldn't
disturb her peace of mind for worlds, poor
girl, until / am certain how the matter
stands"
The next day, about an hour aftsr hel
uncle had left for London, Maude received
the following penciled note from Mr.
Browne:
Ny OiCn Darling; am the most unlucky dog
that ever livedl passed q wretehed night and
this morning am TOO i'll to leave my bed. TIC
be disabled to-day, when was to have arranged
for the event which is to make me the happiest
man in England. / have sent for the village
bones" and if he can but patch me up it may
not yet be too late. send a book back by bearer
TO account for having received a letter from
your nearly frantic JACK.
Poor Maude The torturing suspense Of
that day In the evening she yentured tc
ask the landlady TO inquire how Mr.
Browne was. No better, was the alarm.
ing reply.
Maude passed sleepless night. In the
morning she received second note from
her dear Jack, even more despairing in its
tone than the former one. Fate is against
u.s." he wrote :" l feel as if ! shall never
be able to call you mine"
In the middle of the day she again sent
to inquire after her lover; and was over
ioyed when she heard he was much better
and was even thinking of getting up, hi:
J., ~ To- no c1rfrAar,
seizure
That evening Major Henderson returned
Hardly had he knocked at the door, wher
Mr.. Browne emerged from the opposit,
cottage.
aWhat news, sir?n asked the sympa
thetic Mr.. Browne.
1.-The worst possible" replied the Major
throwing himself into an easy chair an(
covering his face with his hands. Tha
poor girl yonder is a beggar, and l hay,
but hundred a year left"
+. Maude looked from one to the other il
utter bewilderment, and then crossed owe
to her uncle, trying to comfort him an(
gain some information at the same time.
feel this is no scene for stranger t.
witness" said Mr.. Brown. Sir, you hav,
my deepest sympathy, and / am sure that
| at the present moment | can show it in nc
better way than by Withdrawing
Maude followed her lover to the door
She was much distressed on her uncle's &C
count, but did not fully realize her own los
| of fortune.
Are you really better, dear Jack ?" sh
asked, anxiously.
Yes, thank you; quite cured. Good
| by and he was gone.
That her lovers leave-taking was a it'll
abrupt did strike Maude she was, how
! ever, far too confused by the turn affair
had taken to attach much importance t.
the first circumstance.
When she returned to her uncle b
seemed wonderfully better, and at suppe
he talked quite cheerfully of their future.
Maude passed another sleepless night
She did not so much mind the terribl
| loss she had sustained on her own account
but she was bitterly disappointed that sh
could not do all she had promised for be
dear Jack. She determined, however, t
be the most loving and economical VIII
possible At all events her uncle woul
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